This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913 edition. Excerpt: …should be supplied with coops of different sizes, and there should be a cupboard in it for bandages, scissors, and a few simple medicines for use in cases of emergency. Above all things it should be warm yet airy, dry and quiet. There should also be an isolation hospital for infectious HOUDAN somest and most popular of all the French breeds, and it is moreover a very valuable fowl, being a most excellent table bird and layer. It is probable therefore that the Houdan would possess more supporters than it does in this country, were it not for the exaggerated reports that used to be circulated as regards the alleged delicacy of the breed. The experience of those who have bred these birds for many years has, on the contrary, convinced them that, provided it is not kept on damp land and that it is properly managed, the Houdan is fully up to the average of most other breeds so far as its constitution is concerned, while as regards its economic value it is one of the best breeds of poultry in existence. Very possibly the idea that it is delicate has arisen from the fact that birds of this variety possess large crests of feathers on their heads, and if these became saturated by rain, catarrh or even worse troubles are likely to supervene. The risks of this occurring, however, can be materially reduced by placing indiarubber bands round the bases of the crests so that their size becomes reduced, and they will not absorb so much moisture.. The head properties are very characteristic points of the Houdan, as, in addition to the crests referred to above, which by the way are composed of longer feathers in the cocks than in the hens, whilst they must be large, round, and compact in both sexes, the combs are of the leaf shape, being formed of two…